Sydney hotel offers a range of Valentine's Day experiences - and a view

Whether you just want a drink, a stylish treat, or an overnight stay to mark Valentine's Day, Sydney's five-star InterContinental Hotel probably has something to suit. 

Available year round - including limited availability over Valentine's Day - for those planning something special guests are invited to upgrade their stay with a Signature Suite Experience. 

Think a suite with  sweeping Sydney harbour views along with a bottle of Champagne, petit fours, breakfast for two, an Aster Rooftop bar experience and a late checkout. 

Or check out the Valentine’s Day experience in the historic Treasury sector of the hotel.. 

This experience includes half-dozen freshly shucked oysters and two glasses of Champagne for 
$80 per person. 

The Aster rooftop bar, meanwhile, offers panoramic harbour views with a half dozen oysters and two glasses of Champagne for $99 per person, or a Premium Experience featuring a 10g tin of caviar with brioche and a half a bottle of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs for $169 per person. 

For details see https://www.sydney.intercontinental.com/promotion/valentines-day-intercontinental-sydney/

Barossa to get a luxury international hotel

The Barossa - Australia's most famous wine region - is get a new luxury international hotel.

IHG Hotels & Resorts and Adelaide-based Strategic Alliance have announced a partnership to bring the InterContinental Barossa Resort & Spa to the region.

Scheduled to open in 2028 (subject to planning approval), it will be the first luxury branded hotel in a South Australian wine region. 

The 150-room property on a 21-hectare site on a hillside outside Lyndoch "will be an oasis of elegance and sophistication" set amidst the rolling hills and lush vineyards of the famed Barossa. 

Each room will have local views and some with balconies overlooking vineyards. 

“We are exceptionally excited to bring our iconic InterContinental brand to the Barossa, and would like to thank the Strategic Alliance team for partnering with us to invest in the future of South Australian tourism," said Matt Tripolone, IHG Hotels & Resorts Managing Director, Australasia & Pacific. 

"For the first time, the Barossa will boast a globally branded luxury hotel that will serve as an indelible beacon for guests seeking an unparalleled level of luxury and sophistication. 

"Underpinned by stunning architecture and complemented by one of the world's most recognised brands, InterContinental Barossa Resort & Spa will be the perfect destination for wine lovers, gastronomes, and luxury escapists.”

OK Matt. You are clearly excited.

 

David Cook, director of Strategic Alliance, said: “We are very pleased to be partnering with the iconic InterContinental brand and thank them for their shared vision in our Barossa project.

"We look forward to our continued positive engagement with IHG and the Barossa, as our team works closely with them in unlocking this opportunity and bringing this project to fruition.”

When complete, the InterContinental Barossa Resort & Spa (render, above) will feature a selection of dining options, including a 130-seat signature restaurant. 

Other resort amenities will include a pool, a day spa and a fitness centre. 

Bright future envisaged for historic Melbourne hotel site

Major changes are afoot for the historic InterContnental Hotel site on Collins Street, Melbourne.

With part of the building dating back to 1891, the hotel was originally know as the Menzies at Railto when it opened in 1984. 

It became part of the InterContinental group in 2008, and was extensively refurbished,[whilst not changing the heritage structures.

It is sometimes known as the InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto and is part of IHG Hotels group.

The Rialto Building is architecturally significant as one of the finest ‘boom style’ buildings in Melbourne and is an integral part of an exceptional group of late Victorian commercial buildings in Collins Street

Now owners Salter Brothers have announced the achievement of Heritage Victoria Permits with conditions and City of Melbourne support with recommended conditions for the department to consider, to revitalise the hotel.

The site renewal secures the long-term retention and conservation of the well-known Winfield and Rialto heritage buildings, and a new mixed-use development on the site comprising of retail, office, a luxury hotel and a club with meeting and conference spaces, the company said.

"Salter Brothers has worked collaboratively with Heritage Victoria to achieve a design that respects, conserves and evolves these beautiful heritage buildings into future Melbourne."

Commenting on the approval, Paul Salter said “I am incredibly proud of our team in achieving these approvals. I would like to thank Patrick Ness who led the Cox Architecture team and Nick Touzeau from Planning & Property Partners who advised on Heritage Victoria and planning permits.

“We are honoured to move forward with the preservation of the heritage Winfield and Rialto buildings and excited about the dynamic this project will bring to central Collins Street.

"Subject to consideration we look forward to receiving planning approval from the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning”

Five-star hotel links with Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens

The InterContinental Sydney has announced a new partnership with the city's Royal Botanic Gardens, which will see the two landmarks come together to offer a series of events for guests, employees and the wider community to enjoy.

I stayed at the hotel recently and enjoyed the superb views; including of the Botanic Gardens.

“We're honoured and thrilled to be partnering with Botanic Gardens of Sydney and to be building on our time-honoured connection with this incredibly important natural masterpiece in the heart of our beloved city,” said InterContinental Sydney general manager Jennifer Brown.

“InterContinental Sydney's unique position just a stone's throw away from the Gardens affords us uninterrupted views and access, but our connection goes much deeper than this.

“This new partnership will not only enable us to offer hotel guests and our team more opportunities to explore the beautiful Gardens on our doorstep, but it will also allow us to increase our support for the scientific, horticultural and cultural work of the Gardens.”

The Treasury Building, which houses the hotel, and the Royal Botanic Gardens have been neighbours since 1851.

“InterContinental Sydney has a special connection to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney; the historic Treasury Building of the hotel was one of our first neighbours after the Gardens were built,” says Gardens CEO Denise Ora.

“We're delighted to see a new aspiration for its guests to join our important cultural and scientific Tours. It's the next step in both organisation's efforts to showcase the best of Sydney to our community.”

To mark the new partnership, InterContinental Sydney has released the Botanic Gardens Package which  includes a stay in one of the hotel's East Harbour rooms with views overlooking the Gardens, a welcome 'The Tree of Life' cocktail in The Treasury (for two people), breakfast for two in The Conservatory and a choice of four guided Garden walks: Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour, Astronomy at The Calyx Tour, Ghostly Gardens Tour and Aboriginal Harbour Heritage Tour.

The package starts from $629 per night for two guests.

For more info visit www.sydney.intercontinental.com/hotel/partners.

A recent Sydney restaurant arrival hits all the right notes

You are never quite sure what you are going to get with a restaurant in a hotel.

Some are too pretentious. Others absurdly expensive.

But recent arrival Pont Brasserie in the InterContinental Sydney is just the sort of restaurant you'd love to have in your own neighbourhood.

Taking the place of what was a Meat & Wine Co. eatery, Pont Brasserie offers good food, cooked well in a laidback atmosphere. It is the sort of spot where you'd feel at home whether you want just one course, or a feast with friends. 

A key element in why Pont Brasserie works so well is that it is run by one of Sydney's best hospitality professionals in Erez Gordon (above), ex Bishop Sessa and Bistro Bruno.

Gordon, a restaurateur, consultant and wine expert, has put together a team of relaxed pros, who manage to bring fun to the dining out experience.

And he's also put together a wine list - including several by the glass - that offers a broad swathe of choice. Looking for some advice? He's happy to match each course to an eminently suitable tipple.

Think names like boutique Australian producers Riesling Freak, Coates and Nashdale Lane, along with well-priced imports from France, Italy and Austria.

So to the menu.

Entrees (all under $30) include the likes of scallop crudo or Wagyu tartare, but we were in a seafood mood and chose Fremantle octopus with hoi sin and cucumber along with king prawns with rosemary and orange miso butter. Both were fresh and absolutely on point.

Mains tend to be on the meatier side of the ledger, We were tempted by lamb loin chop with zucchini, as well as barramundi with wasabi velouté and finger lime.

On reflection, however, we would not have swapped our Ora king salmon with local asparagus, or the bargain spaghetti vongole with garlic and parsley ($35, below), which delivered a delightful little taste of the Adriatic. 

The grill offers a range of dishes, including a free-range 1/2 chicken, and beef brochette with peppers and chimichurri (Damn! I wish I'd tried that) along with several cuts of steak served with house fries, peppercorn sauce and a selection of mustards. Several sides are also on offer.

There are cheeses and dessert to finish with, but you'd have to be pretty hungry to need the extra carbs.

The prices are more than fair given the quality of the food - and there is currently a "Hot Seat" offer at the bar that offers 50% off a la carte dinner and drinks when you are seated between 5-6pm.

All in all, a most enjoyable dining experience.

Pont Brasserie is open Tuesday-Friday for lunch from noon and Tuesday to Saturday for dinner.  See https://www.pontbrasserie.com.au/

# The writer was a guest of Pont Brasserie.

       

Meet a big city hotel with a personal touch

A good experience at check-in is often a harbinger for a good hotel stay.

So it proved at the InterContinental in Sydney last week - a five-star hotel that has recently undergone a major refurb.

The InterCon is a blend of the old and the new; a modern hotel centred around the old NSW Treasury Building that is located a couple of blocks from the ferry quays and transport interchange at Circular Quay, and a short walk from the Opera House.

 


We arrived early looking to drop our bags prior to a ferry ride. Instead, extremely slick and impressive staff at reception (above) had us on our way to our room well before check-in time, and upgraded us to a room with impressive Sydney Harbour views.

All 509 guest rooms, including 28 suites, boast views of either Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens or the city skyline.

 


The welcome letter in the room even had my name spelled correctly - which is usually only a 50% chance at best.

Throughout our stay staff were uniformly smiling, helpful and professional - very welcome and something of a rarity in today's hospitality environment.

The hotel has undergone a $120 million redevelopment in recent years, enhancing modern features while preserving original elements of the Treasury Building, which dates back to 1851.

Another heritage element is the oldest working lift in the southern hemisphere, opened around 1919. 

Recent additions include the impressive Pont Brasserie dining room (separate review coming soon) and the Bar Messenger underground dive bar.

While location is important, so is technology - and here you'll find fast and free in-room wifi, push button technology to control air con, open and close curtains etc.

Rooms feature something called a "cloud bed" (above), very comfortable and available in a range of sizes; luxe amenities and blackout curtains.

Breakfasts (including many dishes cooked to order) are served in The Conservatory on level one, while The Treasury on the ground floor is open from morning until late, serving light breakfasts, casual meals, beverages and high tea at weekends.

Aster on level 31 is a rooftop bar on the same level as the hotel swimming pool and fitness centre, while 24-hour room service is available. 

Impressive on all levels. A large hotel with a personal touch.

See sydney.intercontinental.com for more details and room rates.  

# The writer was a guest of the hotel